Books for children

Saturday, October 27, 2012

By Mary Arrigan

Walter And The No Need To Worry Suit by Rachel Bright (Harper Collins; €8.35)

is the gallant tale of a small rabbit who lives in a constant state of worry. W!hen he is selected for an event on sports day, his worries ascend to the worriest of worries. However his three best friends know what to do. With excellent, illustrations and an underlying sympathetic attitude to childish fears through zoomorphic characters, this will help banish any lurking gremlins. Suitable for age four and upwards.

Feathers In The Wind by Sally Grindley (Bloomsbury; €5.92). As their mother is a specialist vet whose work takes her around the world, and their father a wildlife photographer, Aesha and her brother Joe end up in many exotic places. In this book of the series they’re off to India where mum wants to investigate the declining numbers of vultures. Their visit coincides with the Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. Naturally the children want to be part of the thousands of kite flyers who have come from all over the world with magnificent, colourfully embellished kites. But there is something about these kites that creates a life-threatening situation for both the two children and the birds they want to protect. With almost audible dialogue and a blend of fun and danger. For animal lovers age eight and upwards.

Eleven Eleven by Paul Dowswell (Bloomsbury; €8.35 to be published Dec 11). The novel chronicles the lives and experiences of three young men during the last nine hours of the Second World War. Battle-hardened combatants find it difficult to resist a final settling of scores. The main thrust of this thrilling novel — the futility of war — is vividly portrayed through the actions and interaction of three sometimes puzzled and overwhelmed young men. Suitable for age 14 and upwards.